This is what MetaFilter should be like.

August 8, 2002 11:26 AM

a truly outstanding thread. reminiscent of whatever 'metafilter golden age' era for which you pine. nearly all the discussion posts were well thought out, offered interesting perspectives gained through personal experience or outside reading; and many viewpoints were supported by unique and interesting off-site links. whether or not this topic grabbed your interest, this is the type of discussion we should always be striving towards. what can we do to encourage such behavior?
posted by mlang to Etiquette/Policy at 11:26 AM (13 comments total)

Not calling out people on Metatalk every 5 seconds...
posted by owillis at 11:36 AM on August 8, 2002

and there are a number of other great threads going on right now (inlcuding one about mac/ms and another about (!)soap operas). why so much goodness? influx of new blood?
posted by mlang at 11:48 AM on August 8, 2002

i'll assume that you're being serious, oliver, and not snarking at me (i.e., implying that i've been overposting to metatalk recently), and i'll agree with you. there have been a number of posts here lately complaining about single specific comments or members, posts which may be detrimental to long-term community health rather than advantageous. perhaps we need to be a little less sensitive individually... but such discussions are also integral to successful self-policing. so what do you propose?
posted by mlang at 11:55 AM on August 8, 2002

Bend like a reed in the wind.

Enjoy, but do not dissect the moment, grasshopper.
posted by Kafkaesque at 12:19 PM on August 8, 2002

I actually thought that the haughty posts on the Passions thread made it pretty revolting, overall.
posted by Marquis at 12:45 PM on August 8, 2002

but such discussions are also integral to successful self-policing. so what do you propose?

If there is a trend (much like the current habit of multiple line posts which I find annoying) then I think it should be on Metatalk. But lately Meta has been more of the "wah, wah, wah I am OFFENDED" variety. People need to grow a slightly thicker skin.

And yeah, the highbrow-ness of the Passions thread was a prime example of why Mefi gets a rep as "holier-than-thou".
posted by owillis at 12:58 PM on August 8, 2002

That thread owes its quality to the difficulty of its subject matter. You can't easily toss off comments about economic collapse and world economic principles. Plus, it's hard to make personal attacks over it or find ways to include colorful expletives.
posted by mblandi at 2:53 PM on August 8, 2002

I think that the quality of the comments in that thread was a result of two things: 1) the subject matter was too grim for even the more jaded MeFites to start cracking jokes, and 2) the quality of the initial comments (and links) seemed to foster more intelligent, considered responses in subsequent comments.

Often the first 2-3 comments in a thread set the tone for the discussion that follows. For all too many threads, it seems that the opening comments are either a snidefest or a series of lame-ass jokes -- derailing the thread before it's even had a chance to get going.
posted by filmgoerjuan at 6:34 PM on August 8, 2002

I had a fantastic time in the Contemporary Lit thread today. Yay for new blood!
posted by rusty at 8:46 PM on August 8, 2002

Indeed, I just came from the Lit thread rusty mentions, and assumed without checking the link that that's what this cheerleader thread was about. I was about to post a link on my webloggything saying 'This is what makes the place so damn worthwhile' or something of the kind.

But Oliver, you're wrong about the 'not calling out people on Metatalk' thing. When someone feels it's necessary to smack down a trend (or a person) it ought to be done. If consensus is that the smack down was excessively whiny, politically-correct, or what have you, the community will speak, the callouter rather than the calloutee will be chastened, and the checks and balances will have done their job.

(Not unlike the way our beloved democracies are supposed to work, yeah?)

Anyway, not a hijack. I'm thrilled to see such informative and interesting threads at the moment.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 8:55 PM on August 8, 2002

stavros: Yeah, it's like when you try to cast a spell on someone in Magic: The Gathering, and they block your spell and it rebounds on you!

_{rusty shoots self in head with +4 Pistol of Dork-Slaying}
posted by rusty at 9:48 PM on August 8, 2002

owillis: agreed. and you'll NEVER hear me say that.
posted by jcterminal at 1:15 AM on August 9, 2002

throws 'moments' gall bladder down.

"a reed?...i thouht you said need....quick, scalpel"

posted by clavdivs at 8:54 AM on August 9, 2002